Prince George RCMP are urging caution after noticing a jump in reports of sextortion.
Between January and July 2022, Prince George RCMP received 30 reports of the offence - more-than 50-per-cent jump from the same period in 2021.
The offence involves extorting money or sexual favors from someone by threatening to reveal evidence of their sexual activity.
Of the incidents that are reported to police, many of the victims are young males in their teens and early twenties,
said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.
It can be very scary for someone who is being targeted like this. We are urging the public to educate themselves on the dangers of sharing intimate images and videos of yourself online, particularly with people you have never met.
RCMP offered the following tips:
- Remember everything online is instant, public and permanent.
- Don’t accept friend requests or chat with people you don’t know in real life.
- Use the platform’s privacy settings to limit the information you broadcast on social media.
If you are the victim of a sextortion scam, it is important that you stop all communication immediately with that person and do not give in to their demands.
Deactivate the accounts that you are using to communicate with that person and, most importantly, reach out for help and report it. Call your local police and contact NeedHelpNow.ca and Cybertip.ca for support.
